Being able to
do everyday
things as a
couple, like
going to the
cinema or
strolling along
the beach, is the
greatest prizewe threw ourselves into Slimming World as a couple
and discovered so many tasty Food Optimising meals.
Glyn: There was so much choice! I loved pasta with
our home-made sauces, chicken balti with cauliflower
rice, and lean steak with Slimming World chips.
Gillian: I decided to cook as wide a variety of food
as possible to keep us both focused. At the weekends,
I’d dress the plates as they would in a restaurant, so
it felt like we were going out for dinner.
Glyn: Even though I was losing weight week after
week, I doubted I’d keep up the pace. It was only after
I’d lost the first 6st, which took around seven months,
that I began to let myself believe this wasn’t a fad.
Gillian: One day, Glyn said he’d like to try going
for a walk. Early one morning, before it got busy,
we drove to a nearby lake and set a goal to walk from
our car to the first bench. Glyn took it slowly and,
somehow, he did it.
Glyn: It was tough, but I was determined! So we
started going there every day. Soon I made it to the
second bench, then the third – and the fourth. I could
feel my confidence increase each time, and I started
making eye contact with people as we passed them.
Gillian: It was lovely to hear him say ‘Morning’ to
people rather than keeping his head down.
Glyn: About this time I set myself the goal of losing
10st in the first year. And when I got there, the other
group members cheered and went wild. By then,
they’d become our family. And it was Nicole’s
constant enthusiasm that really spurred me on.
I began to dream about what life would be like
if I could lose even more weight. I’d be able to wear
jeans, play the guitar again – even get on a plane.
Gillian: And in March 2016, that’s what we did.
With Glyn 13st lighter and walking around freely, we
flew out to Langkawi in Malaysia to visit his brother.
Glyn: It was fantastic to see him. He couldn’t believe
the transformation in me. On our first night, I sat
with Gillian on the beach and listened to a band play
as we watched the sun go down, cocktail in hand.
Against all odds, the dream I’d mentioned to Nicole
on my very first day at group had come true.
Gillian: After that, we were so stunned and
honoured to win Slimming World’s Couple of the Year
2018, but that hasn’t been the greatest prize for us...
Glyn: I’ve lost over 19½st and I feel as if I have
my life back. Gillian has lost over 4st, and she’s
gained a husband who can go everywhere with
her, rather than holding her back. I’m right by
Gillian’s side on those beach strolls and we’re closer
than ever now.
Gillian: And Glyn
is a big support
to me, too. I was
recently diagnosed with lung cancer and I’m
currently having chemotherapy after an operation
to remove part of my lung.
Glyn: I’m so grateful that I’m able to look after Gillian
when she needs me. If I hadn’t lost weight I wouldn’t
have been able to do that. The doctors are very positive
and, together, we will get through this and continue
making the most of the life we’ve been given back.
Gillian: We’ve recently moved to Norfolk and can’t
wait to buy a boat and explore the Broads, which is
something we always dreamed about.
Glyn: While we want to go on cruises and see the
world, even the little, everyday things are so special.
Gillian: They really are. The other day we went
to the cinema for the first time, which would have
seemed impossible before.
Glyn: I know that I’ll never let food, or my weight,
dominate my life again. I’m the husband Gillian
deserves, and that’s never going to change. ●*Slimming World on Referral is a programme that lets health
professionals offer their patients 12 weeks’ free membership at
their local group. If you’d like the chance to lose weight with
the support of one of our warm and friendly groups, contact
your GP practice to see if it participates in the scheme.We’ve come so far and
feel honoured to have
won Slimming World’s
Couple of the Year
“
”
INTERVIEW: SARAH VENESS. PHOTOGRAPH ABOVE: FIELD PHOTOGRAPHIC PHOTOGRAPH ON P102: GRAEME SIMPSON102 SLIMMING WORLD MAGAZINE
dream team